Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
364. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education how her Department plans to address significant delays in returning teachers from abroad receiving payroll as the backlog can take up to 22 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11706/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
To qualify for an award of incremental credit, a teacher and their prior work experience being claimed must satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in the relevant circular. An award of incremental credit cannot be made where the eligibility criteria is not satisfied.
When an application for incremental credit is received in the Department, it is checked to ensure that it is fully completed. Applications are managed in date received order.
Applications can take up to 20 weeks to be fully processed but most are dealt with well within this timeframe. Factors that impact on this processing time include incomplete application forms and conflicting information on the application form. Please be advised that if a teacher meets the criteria set out in Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers, incremental credit will be awarded and any monies due paid accordingly.
My Department has recently introduced changes to the incremental credit application process. This is on foot of a review of the overall process and is aimed at reducing the processing times of applications resulting in applicants receiving a decision on their application in a shorter time period.
